First Chapter is up! Enjoy :)
Cape May, New Jersey
July 15, 2024
It was pretty lively today, while out on the whale watching boat.
Many tourists were treated to the sight of a pod of bottlenose dolphins and later spotted a blue shark off the stern. While Kylie sat near the front with some of her colleagues explaining what they know about the native species around these parts that visit Cape May waters often, especially, during the warmer months.
While some tourists listened intently, others were too busy looking around and trying to take pics with their phones or cameras.
This was nothing new. That's generally how it was all the time with any group of people brought on board. Today was no exception. At least there were always some who were interested in marine life and the marine ecosystem they were a part of.
"How long can a dolphin hold their breath for?" One of the kids in the group asked.
"The average dolphin can hold their breath for an average eight to ten minutes. But there have been cases they have held their breath for twelve to fifteen minutes." Kylie said, answering the question.
"Is it true the baby dolphins leave their mommies when they are old enough?" Another kid asks.
"Yes, though calves will stay anywhere from two to six years with their mother before doing so. It may not seem like a very long time to us. But by then, they are old enough and big enough to take care of themselves." Kylie replied.
She and her colleagues went on to answer several more questions. Most were by the kids. Though a couple curious adults would chime in too. Mainly one of the parents.
At least it was the next generation that seemed to be more interested in these concepts.
During the outing, everyone was guzzling water. Seeing as it was a very hot day today. It was almost tempting to jump off of the boat and into the water.
Thankfully, no one tried it though.
Eventually, the tour came to an end as they pulled into the port and started unloading the passengers. Everyone was satisfied with the tour and saw quite a bit out there.
Kylie and her colleagues were some of the last ones off the boat.
"So, Kylie, you going straight home and out of this oven?" Mark asked.
"Actually, I'm meeting my friend Marissa at Decatur Beach in the cove. We're going to do a couple hours of snorkeling." She replied.
"Well, besides sitting in front of the A.C., getting wet would be the next best thing." He said.
"Or while some others rather cool off with a nice tall glass of Corona." Luke stated, as he walked by them with his bag.
"Since I know Kylie will be engaged elsewhere, you want to hit the bar, Mark?" Luke asks.
"Ehh, I guess. As long as they have the air conditioning blasting in there." Mark replied.
"So, no sitting outside then?" Luke teased.
"Hell no. I'm boiling as it is. I need some cool air before I melt." Mark quipped.
"Can always grab your snorkel gear in the trunk of your car and hit the beach with Marissa and myself." Kylie offered.
"It's tempting, but I left my bathing suit at home. Otherwise, I wouldn't mind." He told her.
"Boo, you suck." Kylie joked.
Mark chuckled, "Funny you say that, because my girlfriend says, I'm actually quite good at that."
Kylie's eyes widened, while Luke started laughing.
"Eww, Mark! Seriously!? I didn't need to know that!" She told him.
"At least you know she's satisfied then." Luke teased.
"Surprisingly enough." Kylie added, with a smirk.
"Haha, very funny." Mark said.
The three of them bickered back and forth until they all got into their cars and left.
Kylie already had her snorkel gear in the backseat, along with her small beach bag. She was also wearing her bathing suit beneath her clothes. This way she can go straight to the beach and meet her friend there.
She sent out a quick text to Marissa, letting her know she was leaving work now and will be at the beach in a few minutes.
Afterwards, Kylie started up the car and stared going. She blasted the A.C. in her scorching hot car, seeing as it was like a goddamn furnace in there at the moment.
Though by the time it does start cooling off in the car, she'll probably already be pulling up to the beach.
Within several minutes, she got there and started heading out to the beach. She texted her friend one more time to inquire her exact whereabouts on the beach.
It was a bit crowded, but Kylie eventually found her.
"You ready for some snorkeling?" Marissa asks.
"Hell yeah, been waiting all day to get out of this scorching heat and into the water." Kylie replied with a grin, as she started pulling her clothes off, revealing her light-colored bikini underneath.
Thankfully, she put on some sunscreen while still aboard the whale watching boat, not ten minutes before it docked. So, she was good to go.
Afterwards, she grabbed her dive mask that already had the snorkel connected to it and slipped it on. Her fins were pulled onto her feet next.
Then the pair of friends entered the water and started swimming out.
They saw quite a few fish out there. Though it was mainly stripers they saw plus, some bluefish. A couple crabs walked across the sandy floor right below them too.
It certainly was a nice way to end the day, that's for sure.
By the time Kylie and her friend made it back to shore, they were definitely cooled off and happy with their swim. It was slow and relaxing just gliding across the surface while looking down below into the water.
They only stayed at the beach for another twenty minutes, before it was time to head out.
Her friend Marissa, had to go straight home and shower and change because she was meeting her boyfriend for dinner at the Rusty Nail. While Kylie was just going to go home, make some dinner and relax.
She was pretty surprised when she noticed the traffic really wasn't all that bad at this time. Usually, the traffic around here can be a living hell to navigate. Didn't help either when those from out of town discovered the usage of back roads and tried utilizing them rather than taking the main roads.
Kylie was only driving for a few minutes and started to cross Lafayette St. Bridge.
She wasn't driving on it for too long when suddenly she heard this sharp bang like sound. Then the tire light flashed on, indicating she had a flat. By the feel of it, it was very bad one too.
It made her car start to jerk a little as she tried to maintain control and pull over.
Kylie made the mistake of looking down slightly for a few moments and didn't realize she veered into the other lane. She quickly averted her gaze back to the road, when she heard frantic beeping from a car in front of her coming towards her in the opposite lane.
She made the mistake of panicking and quickly turned the steering wheel, making a sharp right back into her lane.
Except she veered too hard and fast, causing her to lose control of her car. Next thing she knew, there was another loud bang and she jolted forward, hitting the steering column as she smashed through the rails of the bridge.
Her eyes widened in horror as her car made a nosedive into the water below.
It all happened so fast, and the car started to quickly sink to the bottom. She started to hyperventilate a bit and freaking out. Especially, when water started to gradually leak inside the vehicle as it started to sink.
Despite her fear, the one thought going through her mind, was getting out of the car.
So, before it sank any further, she opened the driver's side window while she still could. Water started to really poor in now. She became thoroughly drenched as it started to rapidly fill the car's interior.
Once it filled up nearly all the way, she pressed her face to the roof of the car where there was still a small pocket of air left and took a deep breath.
Afterwards, she pushed herself down and became completely submersed. Kylie pushed herself through the open window and swam her way out of the sinking car.
She looked around a little then looked up. The young woman was surprised to see just how far down she had gone.
Still, it didn't deter her, and she kicked for the surface.
Kylie was a strong swimmer and could hold her breath for quite some time, all thanks to her lifeguard training from all those summers of being a lifeguard during her high school and college years.
She continued up until she heard this strange kind of roaring sound off to her right.
Kylie turned to the source, thinking it was a boat. Only to see there was nothing there. It was at this time though, the currents started to change and become stronger.
The current began to pull her sideways and she started to struggle to get out of it.
Not several seconds later, she was tossing and turning about in circles. These currents were strange, like being in an underwater tornado of sorts. At least that is what it felt like as she spun around.
She started really getting scared, because no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't find a way out of it.
Pretty soon, Kylie did start losing air. Still, she kept trying to find a way out of this strong current that was tossing her about. She tried to get a feel of which way the current was pulling her, that way she knew to try to swim in the opposite direction of it.
But it was hard to gage that, while underwater.
Still, she kept trying. What felt like hours beneath the surface was really only a mere several seconds to a minute. At one point, she did find a weak spot in the current and went for it.
With one strong kick of her legs, she got out of the swirling vortex of a current and started to make a b-line to the surface.
As she looked up, she could still see the light of the sun shining above the surface of the water. Kylie started to swim up towards it. But fighting the current has really depleted her energy and the lack of air was starting to get to her too and making her lightheaded.
Darkness started to gradually creep in at the corner of her light blue eyes as she continued clawing her way to the surface.
Last thing she recalls, was just breaking the surface with her fingertips. Before everything went dark.
Somewhere near a lake in the woods...
He had taken a seat on a rock not far from the water's edge of the large lake before him.
He decided to wait there for the time being while waiting for his friends to come back from scouting ahead. They told him they would only be a few minutes. This was about ten minutes ago. Which meant, they should be coming back soon.
He pulled his waterskin from his pack and was about to pull the cap off and take a sip, when something suddenly appeared out in the water in front of him.
When he looked up, he saw something float to the surface of the water about ten to fifteen feet out. He squinted through the bright late evening sunlight, and it didn't take long for him to realize what it was.
There was someone floating face up in the water. That someone was a human, and by the looks of it, they weren't moving.
His eyes widened, and he quickly got to his feet. He started to frantically look around and started calling out for his friends.
"Alan! Pete!" He shouted, while looking around.
He waited a few moments to see if he will hear them calling back or see if they will come running out.
Unfortunately, they didn't. He tried calling out for them again.
"Alan! Pete! Where are you!?" He yelled louder.
A few moments went by and her was met with nothing but silence.
His gaze quickly went back to the human in the water. If he didn't know any better, it looked like they were starting to sink back into the water, and when that happens, they were surely done for.
While it was true, he hated the water, he cannot just stand by idly while someone drowns. If his friends were still too far off, he will have no choice but to act.
So, he quickly pushed his revulsion for the water aside and headed straight into the water. He gasped at the frigid coolness that hit him upon entering and started wading quickly through the water towards the distressed human.
'I really hope this water doesn't get any deeper. With my poor swimming abilities, I may not be able to pull them back in.' He thought as he continued on.
His clothes started clinging to his fur and started getting heavy, but he pressed on as fast as he could.
Within a couple minutes, he managed to make it to the human. When he got a better look at them, he realized it was a young woman. She appeared to be unconscious, and the side of her right temple was bleeding a little.
He wasted no more time and carefully grabbed her and started to quickly pull her back to shore.
Not halfway to shore, is when his two friends came running out of the woods and into the clearing. Both men were surprised to see their friend in the water and saw he wasn't alone.
He had his arms wrapped around what looked like a young woman and was carrying her out of the water and towards shore.
They quickly entered the water and met him halfway. Then they helped him get the woman to shore.
"Galen, lay her down here." Alan told him, pointing to the flat surface of the ground.
The chimp carefully laid her down on her back.
As he pulled away, he noted the strange clothes she was wearing. A light turquoise blue colored t-shirt with some strange insignia on the upper right side of her breast and these very short white shorts.
The men noticed her odd attire too, but quickly brushed it aside. Alan leaned down close towards her face with his ear hovering a few inches above her mouth.
"She's not breathing. Pete, you do chest compressions while I administer mouth to mouth." Alan instructed.
"Right!" Pete said.
He quickly got down on his knees on the woman's right side and placed his palms over her chest and started pumping. While Alan pinched her nose shut and started breathing into her mouth.
Galen stared at them with a funny look, wondering just what in the world they were doing.
"What are you doing?" The chimp blurted out with a weird look on his face.
"We'll explain later." Pete hastily replied, as he continued with the chest compressions.
A minute went by before they heard a gargled sound coming from the woman.
As soon as Alan pulled his mouth away, she started coughing up a storm, coughing up tons of water in the process. Pete quickly turned her onto her side, so she can fully expel the water out and onto the ground that way she doesn't choke on it.
"Easy, you're going to be alright." Pete said, while patting her back, and helping her bring the rest of the water back up and out.
Kylie didn't know what was going on. She recalls seeing the bright shimmering light of the sun above the surface and almost reaching it. Then afterwards, nothing but darkness.
Now, she found herself back on land, laying on her side, coughing up what felt like half the ocean in her lungs.
"It's alright, just breathe." She heard a man's voice above her say.
Kylie gripped a fistful of loose sand and soil in her hand as she started to roughly inhale and exhale. Trying to get as much oxygen back into her as she can.
"You think we should try sitting her up?" Another man's voice said.
"Let's just give her a moment." A third man's voice replied.
Once her breathing became less labored, Kylie started to slowly push herself up.
She swayed a little as she did. That's when hands came out and wrapped around her shoulders to steady her and hold her up.
"Easy, you ok?" The man holding her up from behind asked.
It took her a few moments, before she answered.
"Yeah, just...out of it." She said, between huffs.
"That tends to happen after being unconscious and brought back." A man sitting off to the side said.
Kylie brought her hand up to her face, to push back a few of her drenched, dark locks.
When her fingers skimmed the side of her head, she pulled her hand back with a small hiss.
"Yeah, you got a nasty bump on the head there. When you're strong enough to get up and move, we'll try and treat it." The man sitting off to the side told her.
Kylie then finally looked up from the ground and towards the source of the voice.
That is when she saw what looked to be a middle-aged man sitting on his knees about a couple feet away from her. He had blonde hair and grey eyes. He was also wearing some strange clothes.
Then she started to look around at her surroundings in front of her.
Confusion and fear appeared on her face as she inspected the area.
"Where...where the hell am I?" She unknowingly said aloud.
"In the woods, our friend pulled you out of the lake." A voice behind her said.
Kylie rolled onto her bottom and looked to her right and saw another man. This one had brown hair and brown eyes, he also appeared to be younger than the other man.
Her confusion only got worse.
"Lake? But how? I went over the bridge and into the ocean! Not a lake! Just what the hell's going on!?" She frantically blurted out.
"I think that bump on the head may have led to her confusion. We're definitely not near the ocean or any bridge for that matter." A third voice said.
Kylie looked around for the third man there. Though what her eyes landed on, was definitely not what she expected.
"Oh my god! What the fuck is that!?" She yelled and started backing up on her hands and legs away from the strange creature standing about five feet away.
The chimp cringed at her loud reaction and colorful language all while being a little startled.
"Woah! Hey! Take it easy! He's not going to hurt you! He's the one who pulled you out of the water!" The dark-haired man quickly said.
"But what is he!?" She said, as she rapidly looked back and forth between the two men and the humanoid creature.
He gave her a funny look, "I think it's fairly obvious, I'm a chimpanzee."
"But how the hell are you talking?! And wearing clothes!?" She blurted out.
The chimp continued looking at her in confusion and thought maybe she was crazy.
"Ok, ok, calm down. We'll explain everything. Let's just move a little further away from the water." The blonde man calmly told her.
The chimp wrinkled his nose, then looked to his two friends.
"By any chance, is she crazy?" He asks.
"Galen, you're not helping right now. Let's just move her somewhere more comfortable." Pete told him.
Alan and Pete then stood up. Pete offered the young woman his hand.
She was hesitant for a moment, then she took his hand, and he helped pull her to her feet. She was a little unsteady at first, then was able to stand without further issue.
"We found a spot to set up for the night. We'll go there." The blonde man said to the humanoid chimp.
The two men and chimp started walking. But the young woman stayed where she was standing.
One of them turned around and looked behind him and saw she has yet to move. It was the chimp. He then gestured to friends to look behind them. That is when they stopped and looked over their shoulder.
The young woman still had yet to move from her spot.
The two men shared a brief glance and then the dark-haired one started walking back towards her. He came to stand before her and gave her a reassuring smile.
"Listen, I know you're confused, lost, and scared. But you have nothing to worry about. You're safe now. No one here is going to hurt you. We're just going to an area not far from here to pitch camp. And we really rather not leave you out here all by yourself. So, please, will you come with us?" He asks gently.
Kylie was silent for a moment, while she studied him. He seemed very sincere, and he and the others did pull her from the water and revive her.
She nodded, "Ok."
Then she started to walk back with him to where the other two were.
Once they met up, all four of them started heading into the woods.
Until Next Time ;)